Alabama held its first scrimmage of fall camp Saturday night, giving head coach Nick Saban his first live read on the Tide’s quarterback competition. While the decision to name a starter for the Sept. 3 opener against USC is ‘far from getting made,’ one player may be emerging.
Immediately following the scrimmage, Saban said in his post practice press conference the team is focused on three players – redshirt junior Cooper Bateman, redshirt freshman Blake Barnett and true freshman Jalen Hurts – while redshirt sophomore David Cornwell continues to battle an injury to his foot.
“I think it sort of gave us a good idea who might be most ready to manage the team, but I think that decision is far from getting made,” Saban said following his first impressions after the scrimmage. The Alabama coach indicated upon reviewing the film from practice, he would have a better understanding of which quarterback may have stood out.
“How did they execute, what was their decision making like, how did they manage the team, what was their leadership like, how did the team function when they were in there?” Saban said. “I think when we watch the film, we’ll get a better feel for that.
“I think all three guys did some really good things. I think all three guys would sit and tell you … that there were things that they could have done better, and there’s also decisions that they made that they’d like to have back.”
One name that consistently pops up when discussing the Crimson Tide’s competition is true freshman Jalen Hurts. After enrolling early and simulating Deshaun Watson for the Tide’s scout team offense in anticipation for last season’s National Championship Game, Hurts looked like the best quarterback on the roster during the spring game. If Saban was ever going to start a true freshman under center at Alabama, Hurts looks to be that guy.
Here’s what Saban had to say about Hurts when asked about the true freshman during the press conference:
“Jalen is very talented guy and I thought he did some really good things out there today,” Saban said. “I think he does some really good things each and every day. I think the key for both younger guys (Barnett and Hurts) is consistency in performance, taking care of the ball and taking what the defense gives and being satisfied with that.”
With the season now under three weeks away and time running low to name a starter before the opener against Southern Cal, the clock is officially ticking in Tuscaloosa. Saban sounds optimistic the right guy will emerge but when that will be is anyone’s best guess.
“So, we’re encouraged by the progress,” Saban said. “(But) we’re not satisfied with where we are but we are certainly hopeful that we can get all three of these guys ready to play well enough to play for us (and) give us the best chance to win.”
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
